Draft-pigging.



P. BROWN.

DRAFT RIGGING,

APPLICATION TILED 0012.23 1903.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

arrow;

- P. BROWN.

DRAFT KISSING APPLICATION FILED 001'.23,19os.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

P. BROWN. DRAFT RIGGING APPLIGATIGN FILED o0 r.2a,190a.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

51 u canton UNITED STATES PAIENT OFFICE.

PERRY BROWN, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

DRAFT-P IGGING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

Application filed October 23, 1903. Serial No. 178,244.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in draft rigging for railway cars and the main objects of my invention are to provide a simpler form of springs than those now in use and to form a fluid or hydraulic cushion which will absorb heavy blows with the least effect.

In addition to these two main objects, my invention is also designed to improve the rigging generally and cs1" eclally the draft ll'OBSi and the method of supportin the same.

lVith this brief statement, my invention consists in the device as shown in its preferable embodiment in the drawings accompanying and forming part of this application and will be hereinafter more fully de fined by the claims.

Referring now to the aforesaid drawings, Figure l is a horizontal cerv'ral section of my draft rigging, viewed from above; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the some; Fig. 3 is :1 pers .ectivc view of a few oi? the parts of the thud cushion; Figs. 4, 5

and 6 are details of the arraw cment for seb curing the yoke or strap to the shank of the coupler; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the hangers for supporting the draft irons; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a per-- tion of one of the-draft irons showing my arrangement of forming loops on the bottoms of the irons through which pass the flat bars for supporting the ri ging; Fig. 9. is a horizontal section, viewed from above, of m invention without the fluid cushion; and 'g. 10 is a vertical central section of the same. i

Referring now to the details of the drawings by numerals: l. designates the shank of the coupler which may be made of any approved shape, although I prefer that shown in my drawings and which is shown in Fig. l as cored out to provide a shell of greet strength and minimum weight and which is strengthened by means of the vertical rib 2 shown in Fig. 2 as extending from the top wall to the bottom Wall of the shank. The

shank 1 is further made of peculiar shape inthat it has a groove or recess 3 on its upper side and a similar groove or recess 4: in its lower side; these grooves running len hwise of the shank for the race tion of e yoke or strap to be described. hese grooves or IBCQSSQS 3 and 4 are preferably of angular shape, instead of being round, and the shank is also provided with transverse grooves or recesses 5 and 6 which enter the grooves or recesses 3 and 4. The strap or yoke 7 which coacts with these grooves in the shank 1 may be of the ordinary form so far as whether it is made of two pieces secured together at their rear ends or as to 'whether it is of the continuous form shown in Fig. 2. In either case, the front ends of the yoke are provided with transverse ribs 8 and 9, illustrated. particularly in Fig. 6, which enter the grooves or recesses 5 and 6 before referred to. When these transverse ribs 8 and 9 are seated in their grooves 5 and 6, the ends of the shank or yoke fit within the angular grooves or recesses 8 and 4. in the shank 1; as very clearly illustrated in F igs. 4 and 5. The especial urpoge of this structure is to prevent the shearm of the bolt or bolts which secure the yo e or strap to the shank of the cou ler. In the form shown, I employ a slngle astening pin or bolt 10, but it is obvious that more than one may be employed if desired. In. actual practice, I have found that no matter if three of these bolts or pins are used, there is a great tendency of the shank of the coupler to turn in the yoke or strap, and the result is that the bins or bolts will be sheared off; Even if three bolts'or pins are used, the center one acts as a pivot and the other two are frequently badly sheared. I therefore employ the construction just described, and find that when the strap or yoke is seated. within ion itudhial angular recesses in the shank of t e coupler, this shearing is prevented, and ifthe transverse ribs are also employed, a single pin or bolt is ample to rigidly secure the parts together.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the yoke 7 is of the continuous character, and is supported near its front and rear ends by means of two preferably flat bars 11 and- 12 which pass through loops 13 and 14 formed integral with the draft irons l3 and longitudinal sills (not shown) by means of the usual bolts 15, but at their rear ends I prefer to form them with cast loops 15 and 17 forming recesses in which pass stems 18 of hangers 20 (see Fig. 7) which are forked at their upper ends to straddle the longitudinal sills of the car, to which they may be bolted or otherwise secured. In order to prevent the dr'aft irons from spreading. I pass a bar 19 from one shank to the other the bar having a head 1%)" at one end and a pin or cotter 19 (see Fig. 1) at the other. In order to prevent the draft irons 13 from spreading at their center portions, I cast or rivet to them ribs 21 as seen in Fig. 1, and two hangers like that shown in Fig. 7 coact with these ribs 21 by having their shanks 18 pass between the ribs where they are secured by a bar 21 similar to bar 19. These ribs 21 also serve another purpose, that of keepers for flat springs 21 whose oilice is to hold the plnngers 21 against the shank 1 of the coupler and thus keep the coupler in a central position and yet permit it to swing from one side to the-other, as necessary. The ends of the draft irons 13 and 14: are further provided with pockets 22 to receive the fillers.-

In the preferred embodiment of my draft irons, I form them with flanged portions 25 which form pockets for a purpose to be here inafter described, and at the rear of these pockets are formed spring pockets 28 for receiving the springs as Wlll. also be described. This, as will be obvious from an inspection of niy drawings, makes an. ex-

ceptionally strong construction of draft irons, and one which is not likely to get out of order.

Between the draft irons 13 and 14 is placed a casting 30, which is formed with a cylindrical bore 31 running lengthwise of the same, and extending fromthis casting, at right angles to the bore, are two flanged portions 32 and which enter the pockets between the ribbed portions 25, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. This casting is made very heavy and 1S also provided with ribs, as it has to withstand and transmit to the draft irons most of the strain of the blows delivered to the coupling head. One other novel feature of this central casting 30 is that its bore 31 is almost closed by a wall 35, which is provided with a perforation for a purpose to be described. The bore in the front end of the casting is also preferably larger than the bore at the rear end of the casting, the purpose of which will also be hereinafter described. WVorking in the front bore is a plunger or piston 37 behind which is packing 38, againstwhich is a concavcil or cup-she .ed filler or follower 39, and these parts are uplicated in the rear end of the casting, as clearly shown. In normal action, the frontpiston 37 contacts with the rear end of the shank 1 of the coupler, or if dcsircd. any form of springs may be interposed turning, for'a purpose to be described.

Between the Lead of the rear piston 40 and the filler obblock 41 maybe secured any preferred form of springs or tension mechan ism, but I much prefer the novel form shown in my drawings and which may be described as follows: As shown in Fig. 1, my springs, or

most of them, are nothing more than flat spring plates 43 which are preferably of about one quarter of an inch in thickness. Preferably each fifth late is provided with a turned edge 44 which makes a space between each fifth and sixth plates. Of course this space may be provided in other Ways, and I do not limit my invention to plates with their ends turned, nor to the spaces being left between the fifth and sixth plates, as the spaces may be left wherever desired. The action of these lates is very gradual and uniform and yet. t ere is sufiicient action to withstand heavy loads. It will be seen that at the first slight shock, say on a pull the filler or block 41 will be drawn against the rear spring plates and said plates will be moved one quarter of an inch before they are moved sufficient to close the space be tween the next set of plates; further action will of course move the next set ofspring plates until'the second space is taken up; and so on until the spring plates are all moved until their centers touch and there is no space between them. If the plates are spaced one quarter of an inch apart, this will accommodate a movement of one inch, and if the load is unusually heavy, all the spring plates will then be sprung forward atonce until their limitis reached. But by providing the plates with spaces between them, asdescribed, I am enabled to provide a spring mechanism which acts to gradually absorb the blow; and on the return action, of course there is the same gradual movement which insures as gradual an action as before referred to.

In addition to the springs just described, I employ, in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a liquid or hydraulic cushion between the pistons 37 and 40, which cushion consists of nothing more than a body of oil or other suitable liquid which normally fills the open ings or bore of the casting 30 between the two pistons. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 3, this oil or heavy liquid, in the normal posi- 1? ill of the parts, is nearly equally distribimmoo uted on opposite sides of the dividing wall .35, and the- -packin 3B and the concaved fillere or followers 3 act to retain the 01] in the bore of the castin as the harder the pistons 87 or 40 are riven against their gackings, the harder the packin sate con 'ensed against the flllers'BQ, an hence the ackings will at all tithes insure an absoutely tight fit nndthus prevent the escape of the fluid. The rear fluid pocket has been described as of smaller bore than the front a one and this .isfor the purpose of causing the parts to move farther back of "the central portion than it does when moving forward of that portion. This is sometimes neces set where there is limited space afl the front end -of the ri The piston 40 which closes he l-ear descri ed as having a head 40'. This-head servesa double purpose: first, its acts'upon the spring plates and for that purpose is curved so that when it pushes againstthem its curvature is the seine as the curvature oi the plates, and s ond, it's flat sides act against the strap or yok 'and prevent it from turning, so that the curved end is. always resented in the proper way. Itwill be-ohvlous that the openingin the wall 35 may be as large or small as necessary, or there may be have dispensed with "the the yoke or strain as in thepac'king and filler 39 to th 'one openingwhich maybe draft i runs, as clearly i a series of openings or there may be, only pont'rolled in its sizefbya detachable reduce I In the .forms shown in Fi' s. 9 and 10,;I fiui cushion; and: employ spring plates 45 identical with the plates shown in Figs. Land 2, except that these plates are acted on at one end -y'the shank 1' ofnthe coupler without the lnter position fol thejfluil cushion and'at the other end by a filler'412 brought into? lay by 'th-eyoke or strap 7} and'supported y a flat bar 12 which, instead ofpassing under Fi 5. land 2,passes through said filler ,or.. foiower 4-1! T is: fiat bar- 12 also passes throu I slots;13" the draft imnsle'as in" ig. 9. t the front en d, thegshank 1! of the coup er vis also provided with a slot" 1", through which through .Islots' 1'3 in t e from ends of p i 9- 1 may upon the front piston 37 snd'pushes egrear, thus causing-the liquid tojflowns rapidly as theopening in the dividing wall pwill permit;

;into the reanchamber' behind said will 35. As fnst as "the fluid ,lwaflhj it forces the filler, paclri pistonf'iti against the spring pla is forced through the and ea f H tSsQ nd" insteafio acting aat once onyt e s s, the fn lto'n 40 will, act first the in "Enid pocket/or bore has been 'until the ap between them and the next set isclosed; then the first two sets of spring p a tes are sprung to the rear until the second up or space is closed, and if the act isflot suilicient force, all the sets ofep ates are e run back until. all the gaps or spaces are c ose and any further pressure causes all the spring plates to move at once farther until the limit of movement is reached. It will of course be understood that the spring plates naturally react and as soon as the pnqssure on the coupling is relieved the plates assume their normalpositions and s own'in i 1, the fluid of coursealsb being returne'tf Of course if the ear is being drawn, the coupler and its'shank, throu the yoke or strap, acts on the rear oft e spring plates, andthe action is. precisely similar, though-in a centre the one just esdribed. It w 1 thus be seen that not only do I provide a sprin mechanism which gradua 1y absorbs the, s ock before transmitting it to all the springs at once,- but 'IEalao have provided a 'fluid or hydraulic. device which acts as a damper upon any sudden shock or impact,-and trans- ,pas's lthrou h thedividing wall 35 to the springmec nism,.i suchpis used.

In the form shown in ,Figs. 9 and 10 the shockof the impact-is transmitted direct from the shit 0? the coupler to the sp ri plates, butfthe action-will the samegra ua'l action as ex' lain'ed' in the descri' tion of tin; operation 0 tlie'spri'ng plates 'of Figs. 1

illustrate the pre'ferab embodiment-litany invention and changesmay be made as may be necessary without departing from the spasms-sea q WhatI-laim-as new is: e

- 1-. Indra-ft mechanism, and in combine tion "with the. coupler, a; plum-lit oi series of spring platesr eeivi g th low" from said coupler andhavin'ig spae'es left heiii'g'near' the centrulportion of-sald plates and T the plates between each series having overturiied ed 3', said edgeshein'g substantia'lly immova' le, substantially as described.

2. In draft; mechanism, and "-in'co'ihbinati n with the coupler spring platesiiie'eiving the blow from sazd coupler,"said plates "having their ends substantially immovable and having spaces 'left between their cen- 'tralqiortions, substantially as described;

3. n draft mechanism, andi-n combina coupler, a plurality a: series !'of spring plates reoeivin the lewiftom isaicl coupler; saidfplats" avingjtheir ends substantially immovable" and nspace being left; between each s ries of plates-near} enters, ubstantially as d gn fieddirection, to,

units it'fgradually or only as the fluidcan As I have'before'explained, my drawings Li; e

,tween'eachseri'es of plates, said s'pnceshe- 4. In draft mechanism, spring'mechanism for absorbing the blow com rling a pluralit of series of s rin pistes, each series eing formed 0 a p lur lity of plates with the ilnte between each series havin overturns ends, substantially as describe 5. In draft mechanism, the combination of draft irons having pockets therein, and a series of spring plates having their ends located within said pockets and having spaces left between their central portions whereb the ma ive at the center,

If Y y g located between said irons, spring III support and co-actingv with absorb the blow therefrom,

substantially as described.

6. In draft mechanism, the combination of draft irons having ockets therein, a con ler having its shan located between sai draft irons, a yoke or strap connected with the shank of said coupler, and spring plates within said yoke or strap having their ends projectin said draft HOIIS, said spring plates having openings between them at their central portions, substantially as described.

7. In draft mechanism, thecombination of draft irons, a coupler having its shank between said irons, acastin or support carried by said draft irons, an a ibi cushion contained in said casting or support apd-oo actin with the'coupler toabsorbithebl'ow there rom substantially as?described.

10. In raft mechanism, the combination of draft irons havingK ockets therein, a coupler having its shan etween said draft irons, a ,casting or su'pport having projectfiind cushion contained in said casting or said coupler to substantially as described, t

11. In draft mechanism, the combination of a coupler, a casting or support at the rear of said coupler, means for carrying said casting or so port, said casting or support having a fluid cushion therein and a piston interposed between said fluid cushion and said coupler, substantially as described.

12. In draft mechanism, a fluid cushion comprising a suitable casting or support having an opening or bore'therein, plstons into said pockets in.

absorb the blow and'a'fluid cushiondraft mechanism, the combinationdiitions entermg said pockets, and'a at opposite ends of said bore, and a dividing wall between said pistons and having an opening therein, substantially as described.

13. In draft mechanism, the combination of draft irons, a coupler having its shank between said irons, spring plates having their ends supported in pockets in said draft irons, a castin or support also held by said draft irons, and a fluid cushion formed in said casting or support comprising two pistons therein, one piston acted upon at one end by the spring plates and the other by the coupler,- substantially as described. 14. In draft mechanism, the combination therein, a coupler, springs co-acting with acting with the other set 0 ockets, a yoke connecting the couplerfwitli said spring plates, and a fluid cushion contained within said casting or support and comprising two pistons, one co-actmg with the spring plates and the other with t is coupler, substantially as described. a i

15. In draft mechanism, the combination of draft irons having openings therein anda hanger adapted to be secured to the timbers and having ashank passing through said o enings, substantially as described.

16. n draft mechanism, the combination of draft irops having an opening therein, and harigers having their shanks assing through saidopenings, said shanks aving .their upper ends forked and adapted to scribed. s t 17. In draft'mechanisrn, thecombination 'nf draft irons vhaving openings therein,

I said openings, and means for connectin t e bottoms of said shanks whereby the raft irons are lprevented from spreading laterally, substanti 1y as desdribed. 18. In, draft mechanism,

of draft irons having ribs projecting therefrom, hahgershavin shan {S rejecting between said ribs, an means or connecting said hangers beneath the draft irons, whereby said draft irons are-prevented from spreading, substantially as described.

from, hangers having their upper ends forked allad their shanks projecting between said n s, beneath the draftirons, whereby said draft irons are revented from spreadmg, substantially as ascribed. a

20. In draft mechanism, the combination of draft irons, a coupler having its shank located between said irons, plungers carried 181g saiddraft irons and co-acting with the 'ank of said coupler, andflat spring plates of draft irons having two sets of pockets straddle thetimbers, substantially as de-- j nangers adapted to be seen red to the timbers and hav ng their shanks passing throu h 19. In draft mechanism, the combination of draft irons having ribs projecting there- V and means for connecting said hangers one set of pockets, a castin or support cop the combination tially as (1 carried by the draft irons and normally holding said plunge-rs in' position, substanscribed.

21. In draft mechanism, the combination of draft irons, n coupler having its shank located between said draft irons, plungers carried by said draft irons and eo-acting with said shank, ribs formed on said draft irons, a hanger located between said ribs, and a flatspring co-neting with said plnn'gers to hold them in position, said flat spring being held in position by passin through slots behind said ribs, substantially as described.

22. In draft mechanism, the eoi'nbination of drnft irons having ribs near their central portions and loops near their rear ends, and hangers adapted to be secured to the timbers and having their shanks passing between said ribs and through said loops, substantially us desrwibed.

23. In draft mechanism, the combination of a coupler having an angular recess or groom running lengthwise thereof and a yoke or strap sustaining the spring or tension mechanism, said yoke or strap fi ting in said angular recess or groove, substantially as described.

24. In draft mechanism, the combination of n coupler having angular grooves or recesses in its top and bottom sides running longitudinally having its ends fitting within said angular openings or recesses, substantially as descril'ied.

25. In drafhmechanism, the combination of a coupler having angular grooves in its top and bottom sides, said grooves running longitudinally of the shank of the coupler, and a stra or yoke having its ends fitting within sni longitudinal grooves, transverse grooves or recesses also formed in said shank, and'transverse ribs on the ends of the said yoke fitting within said transverse grooves, substantially as described.

Signed by me at l/Vashington, D. (l, this 16th day of October 1903.

PERRY BROlVN. lVitnesses:

J. STEWART Rice, JOHN L. FLETCHER.

thereof, and a yoke or strap 

